Raynham is pushing back its upcoming town elections to coincide with a special statewide vote for a new U.S. Senator.

The Raynham Board of Selectmen approved a request from the town clerk during board’s Tuesday meeting, moving the annual town election from April 27 to April 30.

Raynham Selectmen Joseph Pacheco said the request was consistent with special legislation filed by Gov. Deval Patrick allowing towns to change the dates of town elections to coincide with the special statewide vote. Massachusetts voters will be asked to elect a new U.S. Senator representing the state on April 30, because of former Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass, became the country’s Secretary of State.

Town Clerk Marsha Silvia also asked that the polling hours be changed from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., to 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., to align with the special state election.

Silvia said while changing the date may be a bit confusing for voters, but that aligning the two elections will help the town save money on election costs.

“Both elections will be tough to handle at the same time, but we’ll be able to get it done with all at once,” Silvia said. “It will save some money.”

Silvia also said that the March 7 deadline for election papers will likely be pushed back a few days as well.

Prior to Tuesday’s public Selectmen meeting, the board held two executive sessions, Pacheco said. One was for negotiating contracts, and another was for possible litigation, he said.

When asked if votes and motions were taken, Pacheco said that votes were taken, but added they are “privy to executive session as there are ongoing meetings right now, so we can’t divulge those.”

The Selectmen also received correspondence from the Bridgewater-Raynham School District thanking town department heads for assisting the school department recently with the roof that was blown off of the Lillie B. Merrill Elementary School during a recent storm.

During his weekly report, Town Administrator Randall Buckner said there have been no potential bidders who have asked the town for a request for proposal on the vacant North School that is owned by the town. But Buckner said that there is a walk-through scheduled for Tuesday that may bring some potential bidders to check out the building.

Selectman Richard Schiavo emphasized that asbestos has been removed from the building, along with underground tanks that needed to be removed. Buckner said that letters were sent to local colleges, informing them about the vacancy at the North School and about how the building could possibly be used as a satellite campus.